Page 35 of Claiming Her Cougar
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MALLORY
Wow.I knew Liam was built, but I didn’t know he wasthatbuilt until I saw him reflected in the window as he changed clothes.I thank whoever designed boxer briefs—they did a favor to womankind.
“Enjoy the view?”Liam asks with a smirk.That jerk!He must have realized I could see his reflection in the window.I can see my image on the FaceTime screen, so I know my cheeks are bright pink.Damn it.
“I did.The holiday lights are lovely.Is there music too?”Yes, way to deflect, Mallory.Good job, girl!
He quirks his lips.He’s not falling for it.“I assume so, but I can’t hear it from up here.”
“Looks fun.I wonder if there’s something like that up here.”
“No idea, but I bet Daphne knows.”
“Yeah, you’re right.She and Logan know all the good places, I’m sure.I think he talked about going to some Christmas markets around here to show that Europe didn’t corner the market.”I grimace.
He chuckles.“Don’t bother saying ‘no pun intended.’You totally intended it.”
“I didn’t!I swear!”
“Yeah, likely story.”I can tell by his grin that he’s having fun teasing me.He settles on his bed with his back against the headboard, mirroring my pose.The second period is about to start.
“So, who do you think is going to win?Dallas or Vancouver?”Surely hockey is a safe topic to discuss.
“Dallas.Your boyfriend already scored a goal.”
“Stop calling him my boyfriend!That’s Daphne being obnoxious,” I say.
“So, you don’t think he’s attractive?”
What the hell?Why are we talking about this?
“Yeah, he’s good-looking, but there are plenty of good-looking men in the world.”
“Is he your type?”
Why is he persisting in this?
“I don’t know him, so I don’t know if he’s my type or not.What’s your type?”
Why are we talking about our types?This isn’t friendly talk.I’m curious what his type is, though.Probably supermodel beautiful like Teagan.
He lets out an annoyed huff.“What’s your type physically?I’m not asking for any deep personality analysis.”
I shrug.“I guess he’s tall, with dark hair and a beard.I think that’s attractive.But I think many things are attractive.I don’t have just one type.”
“Same.Well, not tall, dark, and bearded.I like women, preferably without beards.But I like all types.”
I bet he does.
“Are we watching the game or what, Liam?”I know I sound testy, but I don’t want to talk about the type of man I find attractive.My ideal man doesn’t work for the same company I do!If we didn’t work together, I’d definitely be interested in Liam.I’d want to be repeating Vegas on every surface we could find.But for the long term, I need to be with a wolf shifter, not any other kind of shifter.I don’t want to be a total disappointment to my family.
Liam raises his eyebrows.“Sure.”
We settle on our respective beds and watch as the ref drops the puck to start the second period.
He doesn’t deserve my bitchiness.It’s not his fault I’m screwed up.“I’m sorry.I don’t always take being teased well.I get defensive.”
